Postseason Slots Are Filling Up;
Four NFL Teams Clinch Divisions

By

Carl Bialik and

Jason Fry The Wall Street Journal Online

Updated Dec. 13, 2004 1:35 p.m. ET

This year's NFL is a lesson in class warfare -- and it's as one-sided as such battles tend to be. Witness yesterday: The Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their divisions, joining the Philadelphia Eagles, while everyone else fought over the scraps.

The Patriots (now 12-1) wrapped up the AFC East, holding off the Cincinnati Bengals, 35-28, in a typical Pats performance: enough to win, not enough to satisfy those who need to be awed. Seeing a team from the...